Dispatch by Breakout Games is an exciting, interactive mystery subscription that puts you in the middle of a detective story. Every month, Dispatch sends a new batch of clues that further the ongoing story. Each month’s installment is $24.99, and shipping is free. Each story lasts several months, but you can cancel anytime.
This month, I received the fourth installment of the “On the Run” mystery. In “On the Run,” you play the part of the amateur detective solving a mystery in which your childhood friend goes missing after being accused of murdering his wealthy fiancée. This month, the clues lead us to Australia. Quite the world traveler, your childhood friend is.
DEAL: Get $10 off your first box! Use coupon code Dispatch10.
The materials in this subscription are just top-notch, from the real deck of playing cards to the notes to this fun shipping box. Even though the story/puzzles are what drives a subscription like this, having quality materials really elevates the experience. Dispatch is the best I’ve seen.
Inside, the box contains a variety of physical clues, from the invoice pages to the coloring sheet to the police reports. Make sure you’re keeping your clues each month (thanks for the reminder this month!) because you will need things from prior boxes to solve future ones. This is a legit deck of playing cards… are those letters in the dots?
This month’s box seemed to really drill into the core mystery, with less emphasis on seemingly-unrelated disasters. The puzzles seem a bit more approachable this month, too.
Among the physical clues, you will find internet hints that will send you to the computer to locate more clues. This month’s batch required a fair amount of the Google, at least for me. I’m sure someone knows Morse Code and music notation by heart, but I don’t. My 10-year-old showed me up with the music but I noticed the lettering. Good thing we had a UV light, right?
It’s a little-known fact that calculation errors kill more heiresses every year than murderous boyfriends.
As usual, if you get stuck, you can access the clever hint system through the “Bailey Detective Agency,” where you can ask questions and receive an actual (non-form) email back. It adds a fun layer of authenticity to the game.
We had a lot of fun with the Dispatch box this month! Yes, I’d check out that QR code, if I were you.
I think this is just a brilliant idea for a subscription box. If you’ve ever wanted to be inside the book and solve the mystery yourself, you will really love jumping into Dispatch.
Did you need any hints? Where do you think this will go next? Let us know in the comments!
Visit Dispatch by Breakout Games to subscribe or find out more!
Comments
This sounds like so much fun!!! Would it be appropriate to do as a family activity with my 14 & 9 year old daughters?? Also, how long did it take you to complete? Thanks!! 🙂
Hi, Jess! Yes, I think these boxes are super fun. I’d say they’re a high-PG rating (it concerns a murder, there are references to underage drinking, etc.). My 10 year old daughter and I do them together, so I think you’ll be fine. Each box usually takes us 2-3 hours, longer if we have to hit up the Bailey Detective Agency for a hint. Let us know how it goes if you decide to do it with them!